Text variables for displaying only the version and milestone number in a PCB silkscreen title

[infoBKDH3]

I would like to add variables to my silkscreen title on my PCB. I know this is possible by using ">DRAWING_NAME" as a value to a text item, but I would like to display the version number only and the milestone value as well. What I am so far able to get by using ">DRAWING_NAME" is something like:

    My Drawing Name v960

But I would like to only place a variable resulting in showing the following:

    960

And the milestone:

    0.9.3

1) How would I be able to do that?

2) How can I use multiple variables in combination with other text within the same text line? (Like how "version >DRAWING_MILESTONE (>DRAWING_VERSION)" does not result in "version 0.9.3 (960)"

(And for anyone interested in the already existing text variables: https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ECD-TEXT-VARIABLES)

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @infoBKDH3,

I hope you're doing well. It sounds like we need to create some new text variables. We currently don't have any that can give you the version number or even the milestone number for the design. I'll make a new feature request ticket for this.

One question, since in Fusion everything is versioned and the board and schematic don't always have the same version number which version number would you expect to see? My gut feeling is that the we would want to show the Electronics Design file version number since it is the file that coordinates all the others but open to feedback.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[infoBKDH3]

Thank you for your reply and request ticket. Initially I was thinking about the board version as the preferred version number, but this actually is my first PCB ever, and your thought about the Electronics Design file version number might make more sense.

On the other hand, when you 1) change something in the schematic file that is linked to the PCB file, for example replacing a component (without changing anything else) and you 2) open the PCB file that was already saved just before you changed that schematic file, then automatically you would be able to save the PCB file again with a new increased version after, without having touched that PCB file itself, right? If so, then specifically for my situation just the version number of the PCB file could also make sense?

And maybe good to add to that thought, the version number that is used when exporting the PCB to a gerber file (My Drawing Name v133_2023-03-18.zip) seems to be only the version number of the PCB file. Within the context of my PCB silkscreen title: the purpose of having that version number on my manufactured board I initially thought to be useful in case I want to find back the matching gerber file some moment later.

But maybe just a variable for every type of version number (electronic design file, schematic, PCB, milestone) would make the most sense, similar to how >LAST_DATE_TIME and >PLOT_DATE_TIME can be used for displaying different types of time as well?

[Cougar20]

Hello @jorge_garcia ,

we are currently using EAGLE and since there is a deadline we are looking to Fusion360 since the environment is somewhat familiar.

One important aspect for us is the versioning of our projects, which we currently do with EAGLE+SVN.

Since in Fusion everything is versioned anyways, thats good start.

But we want/need to display the current version of a project automaticly in Schematic/Board for documentation purposes.

I'm aware of these textvariables:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/DEU/?guid=ECD-TEXT-VARIABLES

But, as already mentioned, they are very limited to e.g. :

• >DRAWING_NAME
• Our drawing name: drawing_v0.6
• Fusion360 produces: drawing_v0.6 v2
• Electronics Design File: v3
• We would like to use the "Electronics Design File" version  and create custom strings for schematic and board
  • schematic: drawing_v0.6.3
  • board (silkscreen): v0.6.3

Ideally we can use all 3 versions individually (Electronics Design File, Schematic, Board) and create custom strings.

Are there any updates regarding this topic yet?

Thank you

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @Cougar20 ,

I don't have anything new to report on this front. I have bumped the ticket again to bring attention to the issue.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[wbraat]

Hi all, we are working in Aerospace, so I totally support this. 

It will definitely improve tracking and quality control!

Kind regards, Willem

[corentin_paneb]

Hello @jorge_garcia and thank you for your work. Is there any news on this feature request? For example allow new text variable `>MILESTONE`. Cheers

[jorge_garcia]

Hello @corentin_paneb ,

I hope you're doing well. Unfortunately, I don't have anything new to report on this. There is work being done on the drawings support for electronics which will include the text variables but that doesn't have any ETA.

Feel free to reach out whenever you want an update.

Best Regards,

[97ahnchanwoo]

I really would like to use this feature. I will save lots of chores to keep things in order.